Beets

How Does This Ayurvedic Food Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Recipes with Beets: Roasted Beet Puree with Lemon & Coriander

"A tale that begins with a beet will end with the devil", wrote Tom Robbins in Jitterbug Perfume. For good reason too - cooking with red beets leaves the hands looking blood-stained. A chef who slaughters beets cannot hide - only run from the scene of their culinary crime!

Despite their nefarious look, beets' blood-red color and earthy complexity give rise to numerous health benefits. The pleasing sweetness and warm satisfaction of beets have earned them a sentimental role in the traditional meals of Eastern Europe.

Beets are sweet with an earthy, bitter aftertaste. When taken raw, they are sharper, hotter, more fibrous and astringent. Raw beets are tougher and more feverish overall, increasing the heart rate.

When cooked, beets become more mellow. Sweet and less astringent, the flesh becomes soft and "easy to chew".

Earthy and sweet, beets are the perfect cleansing and nourishing option for early spring. Those with a heat-imbalance or depleted digestion could benefit more from cooked beets.

About The Plant

Red beetroot originated from Beta Vulgaris, a native plant of Southern Europe. It is an easy-to-grow root which doesn't fall victim to many pests. This, and the fact that beetroot only takes about 55-65 days to be ready for harvest, explains the popularity of beets in tougher climates.

Part of the amaranth family, beets were domesticated in the ancient Middle East, and were grown by the ancient Romans, Greeks and Egyptians. Though they were initially cultivated for their leaves, rather than their roots.

The use of the vivid, red roots did not begin until the Roman era and the medicinal use of beets only gained popularity from the Middle Ages. They were specifically prized for helping digestive and blood conditions. The deep red hue also made beets popular for coloring wine at this time!

Today a wide, and beautifully colorful, variety of beets are available - from the well-known red, to golden yellow, to candy-stripe pink. Every variant is packed with nutrients and a good source of iron, fiber and folate. They also contain manganese, potassium and VitaminC.

Beets' red color is commonly used as a food dye, while white beets are the main source of table sugar!

Footnote: The information for this article was in part gathered from a 2022 exercise and survey of 19 students of Ayurveda who experimented with beets. During the exercise, students ate beets for 3 days and journaled the effects. This exercise was sponsored by the Joyful Belly School of Ayurveda, and specifically the Mastering Ayurvedic Digestion & Nutrition certification course. This experiential, self-reporting exercise was not part of an FDA-regulated study. No conclusions should be drawn regarding the therapeutic effects of any food, herb, or dietary substance based on these student reflections.

Recipes with Beets: Omelette with Kale, Beets & Goat Cheese

Boosts Oxygen, Blood Flow, and Athletic Endurance

During digestion, nitrates in beets are converted to nitric oxide, which improves oxygen delivery and can increase endurance. As a 2017 study reported, "those who drank beet juice prior to exercise were able to exercise longer, showing increased cardiorespiratory endurance." (Source: Dom?nguez R, Cuenca E, Mat?-Mu?oz JL, et al. Effects of beetroot juice supplementation on cardiorespiratory endurance in athletes. A systematic review. Nutrients. 2017;9(1). doi:10.3390/nu9010043)

Nitric oxide dilates blood vessels, improving blood flow to the muscles, brain and other organs. This is a key action in improving endurance.

In fact, nitric oxide is one of the most crucial molecules for the health of our blood vessels. It reduces blood pressure, strengthens the internal lining of the heart and vessels (endothelial function) and acts as a blood thinning cholagogue.

Experientially, you may feel this increased blood flow directly as a spreading warmth or pulsation. These vasodilating qualities can increase menstrual flow.

Detoxifies Liver / Improves Blood Quality

Beets have a cholagogue effect, flushing hot, sharp bile from the liver. This action helps keep the organ and, in turn, the blood cool. The release of bile draws toxins and oily fats out of the liver and blood leaving both refreshed. Beets' mild bitter taste and ample fiber point to this quality. The cooling effect can often be felt as a refreshing feeling in the eyes.

Not only do beets help clear the liver, they can also nourish it. Beets contain several nutrients beneficial to the liver. One cup of beets delivers 19% RDA manganese, 37% RDA folate and is high in iron. Not to mention other B vitamins, calcium, betaine and antioxidants, which are all healthy for the liver.

Beets are predominantly sweet, which is a building, nourishing taste. Their deep red color is blood-like in appearance, which speaks to their blood-building nature. They are iron-rich, an essential mineral for the transport of oxygen in the red blood cells. This makes beets useful for those with anemia.

Beets blood & liver nourishing quality may be supportive to those recovering from COVID, but more studies are needed. COVID is not just a respiratory, it also destroys the quality of the blood. This can be seen in a yellow tongue coating a few days after infection, indicating a stressed liver. COVID also significantly impair iron metabolism at the cellular level. Beets alleviate liver and blood conditions and may help bring the system back into balance.

Recipes with Beets: Pickled Beets with Garlic, Ginger & Lemon Zest

Beets & Improved Eyesight

As the liver is nourished and cleansed, and the quality of blood improves, the eyes benefit. Biocharacteristics medicine sees the eyes, blood and liver as being closely linked. Both highly vascularized, the liver and eyes are highly susceptible to blood changes. Sore, tired eyes are a common symptom of heat (Pitta) aggravation. In these cases, vitiated blood dilates the pupils and reduces the eyes' ability to focus.

The beta carotene, cleansing, anti-inflammatory and liver supporting nature of beets suggests beets might improve vision. Our founder, John, notes that he clears the liver whenever he notices he is having a difficult time focusing.

The phytochemicals in beets support the health of the eye and nerve tissues. Beta-carotene helps calm an inflamed liver and is a precursor to Vitamin A, which further supports the eyes. Beet also contain an antioxidant called lutein. This acts to protect the eyes against cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

Anti-allergy, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial

Beets contain a number of antioxidant compounds, which reduce allergic and inflammatory reactions. 100g of beetroot delivers about 10% RDA of antioxidant Vitamin C. This is an important nutrient for skin health and overall immune function.

Betanin, aka 'beetroot red', is responsible for the strong red color of the root and also acts as an antioxidant. It scavenges for free radicals and supports healthy elimination. It's also what causes the stool or urine to take a reddish color!

Beets are high in flavonoids, which contribute to their vibrant hue. These compounds support healthy reactions in the body and the cells. This can include anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anticancer activity.

The body tries to get rid of bioflavonoids soon after they are consumed. It does this by activating enzymes that also help clear mutagens and carcinogens. This aids in overall cleansing.

Laxative that Cleanses the Bowels

After eating beets the urine and stool will turn a reddish color - this is not a sign of bleeding! It is a harmless occurrence and beets actually support healthy bowel movements.

The cholagogue effect of beets encourages the release of bile from the liver and gallbladder. This bile is hot and irritating to the GI, stimulating quicker elimination. This bile dumping effect, combined with beets' soluble fiber (14% RDA), gives rise to the laxative effect of beets.

Essential for Cleansing in February

Seasonally, beets are most useful in February, just as they come into season in many areas. February is a month of liver congestion as the body prepares for Spring by releasing winter fat stores into the blood. This can lead to a congested liver and thick, rich blood.

The cholagogue effect of beets helps to flush these excess oils and cleanses the blood. This is very helpful in late Winter when the blood has become stagnant due to cold winter. This is the reason beets are an essential ingredient of John's February cleanse routine.

You'll know if the cleansing effects of beets are working if your tongue coating decreases.

Recipes with Beets: Beet Soup with Lemon Juice & Parsley

Grounding, Relaxes the Nerves

The sweetness of beetroot causes higher blood sugar levels which leaves the body feeling relaxed and satisfied.

Alongside this, the cleansing effect of the root reduces toxins in the system. This allows the nerves to feel more at ease and less jittery. Notice how beets affect the trembling of your tongue in the mirror.

The vasodilating effect of beets that increases blood flow and warmth in the body also contributed to the relaxing but alert and clear effect on muscles and tension. Nitric oxide has the tendency to reduce anxiousness.

Warming, Relaxing Aphrodisiac

Beets were used as an aphrodisiac in Roman times. They improve blood flow and their relaxing, energizing nature is perfect for getting in the mood and warming up desire.

The amino acid tryptophan, the chemical boron, nitrates and glutathione all support this aphrodisiac effect. Studies have shown that beets can be helpful in cases of erectile dysfunction.

By improving blood flow, beets have a warming effect on the body and especially in the abdomen, where it also warms up the pelvic floor.

Nitrates -Good for you?

Some people believe nitrates are harmful and can cause cancer. Others argue that the risks are more associated with the specific nitrites in processed meats.

Research shows that diets rich in nitrites and nitrates can have positive health effects. These include a decreased risk of many diseases. They have also been shown to support cardiovascular health, such as lowering blood pressure, protecting the inner membranes of heart and vessels (endothelium). They can strengthen the heart muscle (myocardium). They can also slow the metabolic reactions linked to plaque forming inside blood vessels (atherogenesis) and other cardiovascular diseases.

The body can convert dietary nitrates, like those from beets, into nitric oxides. These oxides travel through the artery walls and send signals to the tiny muscle cells around the arteries. These signals tell the vessels to relax and dilate. This improves circulation and allows the blood pressure to drop.

Recipes with Beets: Velvet Beet Puree with Chopped Yam

Effects of Each Body Type (Dosha)

Effects on Deficient (Vata) individuals

The blood building, sweet, warming biocharacteristics of beets reduces deficiency characteristic of Vata. Beets should be well-cooked for Vata-dominant individuals. Raw or undercooked beets can be too difficult for them to digest.

Effects on Fiery (Pitta) individuals

The sweet and bitter tastes in beets support and soothe an fiery Pitta liver, and Pitta's corrupted blood. However, beets have one quality that could potentially aggravate Pitta - warmth.

Effects on Stagnant (Kapha) individuals

The bitter, hot and liquid nature of beets can reduce the stagnation of Kapha dosha. By improving blood flow and detoxifying the liver and blood, slow, stagnant Kapha is reduced.

Simple sugars (glucose, fructose) make up 70%-80% of the carbohydrates in raw and cooked beets respectively. This sweetness of beetroot could lead someone to conclude that beets aggravate Kapha, in excess. But it is generally considered safe, and potentially even helpful, when trying to balance sugar levels. Beets have an overall medium glycemic index score and, more importantly, a very low glycemic load. This is because the phytochemicals in beets help control the blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity. In 2014 a study on effects of beetroot juice on blood glucose levels, after eating, was carried out. It showed that drinking 225 milliliters (almost 1/2 cup) beetroot juice significantly reduced post-meal glucose levels.

Conclusion

Beets nourish and improve the quality of the blood. In fact, they are nourishing and satisfying in general. As well as this, beets cleanse the blood, liver and bowels. Beets ability to both nourish and cleanse makes them unique.

Beets can improve circulation, by relaxing the blood vessels and improve circulation. This can help reduce blood pressure and warm the body. The warmth, circulation and nourishing benefits of beets improves athletic endurance and make beets a useful aphrodisiac. Altogether, these qualities relax the body while improving alertness.

Buying & Preparation

Choose small- to medium-sized beets that feel firm and have a smooth skin. This is because the smaller ones are generally more tender than the larger ones. Avoid beets with hairy root tips which may be tougher and look out for those with perky, crisp greens. As beets age they become dehydrated and soft, so choose those which are firm and heavy for their size. Should you peel your beets? If you are cooking organic roots, it's easier to leave the skin on and allow them to fall off naturally after cooking. You will likely not even need a knife! If your beets are not organic, you can peel like a potato peeler.

It's important to remember that beet greens are heating and Pitta provoking. Because of this it might be necessary to cook the greens in a separate pot.

Recipes with Beets: Roasted Beets in a Balsamic Glaze

Cooking Beets

Raw beets can be grated and put atop salads. Otherwise they should be cooked until tender, especially for Vata individuals with weaker digestion. Beets are particularly delicious when roasted. Try coating in olive oil and seasoning with black pepper before roasting for 30 minutes at 425?, or until tender. Garnish with balsamic reduction for a mouth-watering, blood-stimulating dish.

Beets are a versatile root that also work well when juiced, pureed, boiled in soup or pickled.

For a sweeter, smoother experience of beets, try cooking them for 3 hours, causing the fibers to break down and conversion of starches to sugar.

Chopped beets can be difficult for Vatas to digest. If this is the case, blending with warming spices before cooking is a great option. Beets pureed with cloves and black pepper is an oozing, easy-to-digest choice for weaker systems.

Beet soups, such as borscht, are common in Eastern Europe. Slavic peoples often combine beets with horseradish, which is then served alongside cold cuts or sandwiches. This stimulating blend is also commonly added to a meal of meat and potatoes. In Serbia, beets play a role in winter salads and meat dishes, seasoned with salt and vinegar to drive out the seasonal chill.

Nordic countries use chopped, or grated, beetroot in their meatballs and burgers. While in Northern Germany, beets are mashed with beef in a dish called 'labskaus'. Further East, in India, beets are chopped, cooked and spiced to make a common side dish.

Contraindications

Uncooked beets are high in oxalic acid, which can be irritating to the kidneys in excess. In the body, this combines with calcium and/or vitamin C to form oxalates. This can progress into kidney stones.

This is particularly important when juicing beets, where it is easy to take excessive levels of oxalic acid. It is recommended that you avoid beets if you are experiencing a UTI or have a history of stones.

Cooking completely destroys the oxalic acid, rendering it harmless.

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SERVING SIZE: 1/2 c
FAMILY: Amaranthaceae
SPECIES: Beta vulgaris
PREPARATION: BAKED, BOILED, JUICE, PICKLED-FERMENTED, PUREE, ROASTED, SAUTEE, SOUP, STEAMED
EAT IN: AUTUMN-WINTER, SPRING

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Metabolic Nature of Beets

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

METABOLIC NATURE

Metabolic Nature

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.
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CLEAR

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEAR

LIQUEFIED

ABOUT LIQUEFIED BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Substances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma). These may include blood thinners or mucolytic herbs.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LIQUEFIED

HOT

ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOT

TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?
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BITTER

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes and is laxative, and drying.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BITTER

SWEET

ABOUT SWEET BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SWEET

ASTRINGENT

ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ASTRINGENT

DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.
Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.
Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.
Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.
The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).
Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.
Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.
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PACIFIES

AGGRAVATES

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.
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PACIFIES

MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELANCHOLIC

AGGRAVATES

CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CHOLERIC

PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A Phlegmatic has a cold and wet metabolic nature. The coldness implies a slow metabolism, the moisture that you are well-nourished. Phlegmatics tend towards sluggishness and thickened fluids, including mucus.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHLEGMATIC

SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A hot and oily nature with a moderate metabolism and a well nourished body makes Sanguine individuals vigorous, vivacious, outgoing and generous, and prone to impulsivity and self indulgence. Bullish and intense when out of balance.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANGUINE

Other

Tissue (dhatu):

Red Blood

RED-BLOOD

Red blood (Rakta Dhatu) includes red blood cells and blood vessels.

SEE ALL 'RED-BLOOD' FOODS / HERBS

Subdosha:

Pitta Alochaka, Pitta Ranjaka

Affinity:

Bowel Poop Elimination, Cleanse And Detox, Heart Circulation Blood, Liver Gallbladder

Family:

Amaranthaceae

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Beets
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

(see all)

Digestion:

Warms Abdomen

WARMS-ABDOMEN

Warms the muscles and organs of the abdomen, stimulating digestion and metabolism.

SEE ALL 'WARMS-ABDOMEN' FOODS / HERBS

Bowel Health:

General Laxative

STRONG GENERAL-LAXATIVE

Promotes a bowel movement. General laxative is an umbrella term that refers to several different types of laxatives.

SEE ALL 'GENERAL-LAXATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Stimulant Laxative

STIMULANT-LAXATIVE

Stimulant laxatives induce bowel movements by stimulating peristaltic movement (the contraction of smooth muscle in the intestines). They are effective when used on a short-term basis. On a long-term basis, they can create dependency. Aka irritant laxativ

SEE ALL 'STIMULANT-LAXATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Stool Softener

STOOL-SOFTENER

Softens hard and difficult to eliminate stool. Stool softeners are the safest and most gentle type of laxative. Examples include warm milk with ghee.

SEE ALL 'STOOL-SOFTENER' FOODS / HERBS

Cleanse & Detox:

Internal Detoxicant

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system.

SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS

Mind, Stress & Sleep:

Nerve Relaxant Grounding

NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDING

Encourages feelings of stability and heaviness. Makes you feel settled, mentally relaxed. Mildly sedates the nervous system to ease stress. Can bring a spacey or anxious person back to earth. Reduces agitation, irritation, stress and racing thoughts.

SEE ALL 'NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDING' FOODS / HERBS

Relaxes Eyes

RELAXES-EYES

Eases tension in eye muscles, so the eyes feel less strained, often by supporting the liver.

SEE ALL 'RELAXES-EYES' FOODS / HERBS

Anxiolytic

ANXIOLYTIC

Herbs that help people suffering from anxiety or panic. They promote a state of calm and often improve sleep. Most anxiolytic herbs are also nervines.

SEE ALL 'ANXIOLYTIC' FOODS / HERBS

Energy Vitality:

Satisfies Stomach

SATISFIES-STOMACH

Provides a sense of gratification and fullness in the stomach.

SEE ALL 'SATISFIES-STOMACH' FOODS / HERBS

Stimulates Energy

STIMULATES-ENERGY

This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs.

SEE ALL 'STIMULATES-ENERGY' FOODS / HERBS

Nutritive

NUTRITIVE

An herb that is strengthening and nourishing.

SEE ALL 'NUTRITIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Skin Care & Beauty:

Skin Tonic

SKIN-TONIC

An herb that strengthens and nourishes skin, improving tone, color, moisture and complexion.

SEE ALL 'SKIN-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Immune System:

Anti Inflammatory

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS

Heart & Circulation:

Alterative

ALTERATIVE

Restores the proper function of the body by cleansing the blood and balancing blood chemistry. In Ayurveda terms, they pacify Pitta in rakta. They were traditionally used to revitalize and detoxify after a long winter.

SEE ALL 'ALTERATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Blood Thinner

BLOOD-THINNER

Herbs that thin the blood. Helpful for people with heart disease or clogged circulation.

SEE ALL 'BLOOD-THINNER' FOODS / HERBS

Opthalmic

OPTHALMIC

Benefits the eyes, vision tonic.

SEE ALL 'OPTHALMIC' FOODS / HERBS

Vasodilator

VASODILATOR

A vasodilator is an herb that widens the blood vessels by the relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls, thereby increasing circulation systemically or to a local area.

SEE ALL 'VASODILATOR' FOODS / HERBS

Vessel Tonic

VESSEL-TONIC

An herb that improves the tone and integrity of blood vessel walls. This is helpful in easy bruising.

SEE ALL 'VESSEL-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Blood Tonic

MILD BLOOD-TONIC

An herb that produces more blood cells in the body, or otherwise improves blood cell quality or hemoglobin content. Helpful for anemia and other types of deficiency.

SEE ALL 'BLOOD-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Kidney & Urinary:

Irritates Kidney

IRRITATES-KIDNEY

Tight, sharp pain just below ribs in the back.

SEE ALL 'IRRITATES-KIDNEY' FOODS / HERBS

Liver & Gallbladder:

Cholagogue

STRONG CHOLAGOGUE

Cholagogues stimulate the production & release of bile from the liver & gallbladder. This refreshes and cleanses these organs, as well as increases bile in the small intestines.

SEE ALL 'CHOLAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS

Hepatoprotective

HEPATOPROTECTIVE

An herb that is capable of preventing liver damage. Many hepatoprotectives work via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

SEE ALL 'HEPATOPROTECTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Livotonic

LIVOTONIC

An herb that strengthens the liver. It is helpful for people with a history of substance abuse, chronic liver issues from hepatitis and hemolytic anemias. Generally, liver tonics are oily, cool, sweet, mildly sour, or contain beta-carotene.

SEE ALL 'LIVOTONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Strength, Muscle Health:

Muscle Relaxant

MUSCLE-RELAXANT

Herbs that relax muscles. Helpful for chronic pain or tension as well as healing from physical trauma.

SEE ALL 'MUSCLE-RELAXANT' FOODS / HERBS

Antispasmodic

ANTISPASMODIC

Herbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, menstruation, heart palpitations, migraine, or IBS.

SEE ALL 'ANTISPASMODIC' FOODS / HERBS

Constituents:

Betaine

STRONG BETAINE

Used to reduce homocysteine in the blood, which supports proper liver function and prevents fatigue and blood clots. Improves muscle stamina and weight loss.

SEE ALL 'BETAINE' FOODS / HERBS

Nitric Oxide

STRONG NITRIC-OXIDE

Improves circulation by dilating blood vessels. Protects blood vessels from damage. Improves athletic performance, libido, immunity, and brain health.

SEE ALL 'NITRIC-OXIDE' FOODS / HERBS

, Beta Carotene, Carbohydrate, Folate,

Iron

IRON

Iron is necessary for the transport of oxygen in red blood cells.

SEE ALL 'IRON' FOODS / HERBS

, Manganese, Potassium,

Saponins

SAPONINS

Can be used to make soap. Saponins stimulate mucus membrane secretion, liquefying mucus for easy removal (expectorant).

SEE ALL 'SAPONINS' FOODS / HERBS

, Soluble Fiber

Foods with a Similar Nature to Beets

Dandelion Leaves

Dandelion Leaves has these Actions in Common
Hepatoprotective, Livotonic, Alterative, Cholagogue, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulant-laxative, Anti-inflammatory, General-laxative, Irritates-kidney, Stimulates-energy, Blood-thinner
LEARN MORE
Turmeric

Turmeric has these Actions in Common
Anti-inflammatory, Blood-tonic, Internal-detoxicant, Antispasmodic, Cholagogue, Skin-tonic, Alterative, Blood-thinner, Hepatoprotective, Vasodilator
LEARN MORE
Apple (cooked)

Apple (cooked) has these Actions in Common
Cholagogue, Livotonic, Relaxes-eyes, General-laxative, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Stool-softener, Internal-detoxicant, Nutritive, Warms-abdomen
LEARN MORE
Pomegranate

Pomegranate has these Actions in Common
Alterative, Cholagogue, Nutritive, Anti-inflammatory, Internal-detoxicant, Opthalmic, Blood-tonic, Livotonic, Skin-tonic
LEARN MORE
Carrot

Carrot has these Actions in Common
Cholagogue, Livotonic, Skin-tonic, Alterative, General-laxative, Nutritive, Blood-tonic, Internal-detoxicant, Opthalmic
LEARN MORE
Garlic

Garlic has these Actions in Common
Anxiolytic, General-laxative, Vasodilator, Alterative, Blood-thinner, Internal-detoxicant, Antispasmodic, Cholagogue, Stimulant-laxative
LEARN MORE
Buckwheat

Buckwheat has these Actions in Common
Blood-tonic, Nutritive, Warms-abdomen, Muscle-relaxant, Satisfies-stomach, Blood-thinner, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Vessel-tonic
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Tahini

Tahini has these Actions in Common
Blood-tonic, Nutritive, Stimulates-energy, General-laxative, Satisfies-stomach, Warms-abdomen, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Skin-tonic
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Almonds

Almonds has these Actions in Common
Skin-tonic, General-laxative, Nutritive, Stimulates-energy, Muscle-relaxant, Satisfies-stomach, Blood-tonic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding
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Aloe Vera Juice / Gel

Aloe Vera Juice / Gel has these Actions in Common
Alterative, Cholagogue, Skin-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, General-laxative, Stimulant-laxative, Blood-thinner, Internal-detoxicant
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Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Beets

Amalaki

Amalaki has these Actions in Common
Hepatoprotective, Internal-detoxicant, Nutritive, Opthalmic, Alterative, Relaxes-eyes, Anti-inflammatory, Skin-tonic, Blood-tonic, Stimulates-energy, General-laxative, Stool-softener
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Dong Quai

Dong Quai has these Actions in Common
Anti-inflammatory, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Vessel-tonic, Blood-thinner, Blood-tonic, Hepatoprotective, Internal-detoxicant, Muscle-relaxant, Stimulates-energy
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Chyavanprash Nutritive Jam

Chyavanprash Nutritive Jam has these Actions in Common
Blood-tonic, General-laxative, Internal-detoxicant, Nutritive, Stimulant-laxative, Stimulates-energy, Alterative, Stool-softener, Anti-inflammatory
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Yarrow

Yarrow has these Actions in Common
Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic, Blood-thinner, Cholagogue, Internal-detoxicant, Livotonic, Vasodilator, Alterative, Vessel-tonic
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Eleuthero Ginseng

Eleuthero Ginseng has these Actions in Common
Anti-inflammatory, Stimulates-energy, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Blood-tonic, Hepatoprotective, Internal-detoxicant, Muscle-relaxant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding
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Punarnava

Punarnava has these Actions in Common
Antispasmodic, Blood-tonic, Cholagogue, Internal-detoxicant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Stimulates-energy, Alterative, Vasodilator, Anti-inflammatory
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Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common
Internal-detoxicant, Muscle-relaxant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Stimulates-energy, Anti-inflammatory, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Blood-tonic
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Bhumyamalaki

Bhumyamalaki has these Actions in Common
Anti-inflammatory, Cholagogue, General-laxative, Hepatoprotective, Internal-detoxicant, Livotonic, Skin-tonic, Alterative
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Yogaraj Guggulu

Yogaraj Guggulu has these Actions in Common
Muscle-relaxant, Vasodilator, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Blood-thinner, Internal-detoxicant
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Belly breathing

Belly breathing has these Actions in Common
Internal-detoxicant, Muscle-relaxant, Stimulates-energy, Alterative, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Blood-tonic, General-laxative
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Breathing Exercises

Breathing Exercises has these Actions in Common
Internal-detoxicant, Muscle-relaxant, Stimulates-energy, Alterative, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Blood-tonic, General-laxative
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Beets Impact Report

The reports shared below are part of an educational assignment completed by students at the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda. These represent subjective experiences intended to help students explore principles of Ayurveda through personal observation. In each report below, students ate the selected food for 3 days and self-reported these effects. See other food & herb reports at Joyful Belly.